Uber Insurance Quotes in Lakewood Ranch, FL

Richard Riley, Agent

941-756-5100

Uber Insurance

Driving for app based transportation companies is rapidly increasing in popularity. Whether you drive full-time for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, or it is the source of additional income, make sure you are covered.

GreatFlorida Insurance is offering rideshare insurance to meet the growing demand from rideshare drivers for full coverage.
GreatFlorida Insurance is one of the few insurance companies in Florida to offer rideshare insurance. We make sure you, your passengers and your vehicle are protected while driving.

Our company offers a rideshare endorsement to supplement your auto policy. It fills in coverage gaps while driving for a rideshare company and keeps you covered while you drive for personal use.
Give us a call today at 888-478-7801 to discuss GreatFlorida rideshare insurance and speak to an agent in your area.

FAQ’s

Doesn’t the rideshare company’s insurance cover me while driving?
Uber and Lyft provide a $1 million insurance policy while a passenger is in your vehicle. It serves as your primary insurance during this time. The same coverage is not extended to drivers while you are logged into the app without a passenger.
Policies vary between the different rideshare companies, especially during the time when you are logged into the app but have no passenger in your vehicle.

Coverage Gap
Just because you are signed into the rideshare app does not mean you are covered. The time between logging into the app and a passenger entering your car, you could be uninsured or underinsured. This is considered a coverage gap.
While logged into the app, accepting a job, driving to a passenger and waiting for them to enter your vehicle, your personal car insurance is responsible for damages. During that time many rideshare companies have a policy that is “contingent,” making it a gray area.

Doesn’t my auto insurance cover me?
Most drivers with auto insurance have a personal auto insurance policy. It is intended for personal use not for commercial driving or driving-for-hire.
Unfortunately, personal auto insurance companies would be likely to deny your accident claim. When you are logged into a rideshare app, insurance companies consider that as driving-for-hire, so it would fall into the commercial driving category.

What if I do not make changes to my auto policy?
If your auto insurance discovers you are using your vehicle for profit, such as ridesharing without proper insurance, they can set the policy to cancel or non-renew.

Additionally, should a claim occur while a driver is logged into the rideshare app and they do not have rideshare insurance, their claim can be denied by their auto insurance company.

Commercial auto insurance is also available to drivers who participate in rideshare but it can be more expensive and limiting when it comes to personal use. That is why GreatFlorida Insurance offers rideshare insurance, as a less expensive option to supplement your personal auto policy, while covering the gaps a rideshare company doesn’t cover.

Accidents are inevitable. Make sure you are covered during personal use and while ridesharing with GreatFlorida Insurance’s rideshare insurance.
If you are a rideshare driver, agents at GreatFlorida Insurance can make sure you get the proper coverage for you and your passengers. Contact us today to discover all the auto insurance options available for you.

In his book, Blue Mind, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist, explains that being on, in or near the water improves creativity, emotional health and relaxation. It can also heal the mind and body.

In the book, he describes the state of a “red mind” and its antidote, a “blue mind.” A red mind is characterized by stress, anxiety and fear, whereas a blue mind is described as calm, peaceful and happy. A blue mind can be achieved by being in, near, on, under or around water. Such as being on a boat. He describes to Discover Boating, that a blue mind, gives our minds a break, it helps us to disconnect from tech and connect with our thoughts and insights as well as with other people.

Research shows walking on the beach, hanging out at the lake or even taking a dip in the pool can calm you down while sparking creativity. He shares with Huffington Post some additional benefits to being around water.

Boat rental website, Carefree Boat Club, explains that boating allows you to create bonding experiences and enjoy memories with family and friends. They report, according to studies, boaters respond to stress or stressful situations in a manner better than non-boaters.

So, the next time you are debating that fishing trip or all-day outing at the beach, remember, it can benefit your health, body and mind.

Good student discount rewards students financially, for doing well in school. According to DMV.org, statistics show that students who get good grades are less likely to get into a car accident, making them a lower risk for car insurance companies. A Good grade discount varies among auto insurance companies, however most require the following:

The student is under 25 years old

Full-time enrollment at a high school or college/university

Maintain at least a B average (3.0 grade point average), or be on the honor roll or Dean’s List.

Show other accepted proof of good performance, if home-schooled.

Score in the upper 20 percent on one of the six standardized tests.

Some insurance companies will extend the discount for a year after a student completes school.

Driver’s Education

Safety is the top concern for parents of a teen driver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Driver safety courses teach new drivers rules of the road, as well as offer teen drivers savings.

Students who complete a driver training program, are eligible for a discount. DriversEd.com reports drivers can earn a discount of up to 10 percent after completing their course. Some insurance providers have special courses where students can earn over 15 percent savings.

Electronic Device Technology

Several auto insurers now offer electronic devices to monitor teen driving habits. The devices gather information such as, the number of miles driven, speed, the number of hours on the road and how often the brakes are applied hard. Drivers who meet the standards can save up to 30 percent on premiums.

If your student driver, resides at a school at least 100 miles from your home and only occasionally drives your vehicle, you could qualify for a discount on your auto insurance.

Car Selection

While most teens dream of receiving a brand-new car for their 16th birthdays, the reality is, they will most likely be driving something used. A used car will save you money to insure instead of insuring a new one. Large trucks and SUV’s cost more to insure, particularly if they have a four-wheel drive option. Some car features that can save money include; anti-lock brakes (ABS), air bags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, collision preparation systems and anti-theft devices.

“Fishing, tourism and public health are vulnerable to algae this year in Florida”, observes Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent boat insurance company.

Red Tide

A patchy bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. You might recognize red tide on the beach. It looks like thick mats of smelly, brown, seaweed and covers beaches along Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

Red Tide is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. Blooms, or higher than normal concentrations of the Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, frequently occur in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reports some red tide produces toxins that have harmful effects on people, fish, marine mammals and birds. In humans, the toxin can become airborne and varying levels of eye and respiratory irritation can occur, becoming more severe for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Even touching the bloom can cause a rash. MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium issues daily beach conditions from beaches along the Southwest coast and along the panhandle. Try checking their website before you head out for the day.

Toxic Algae Bloom

Red tide is not the only algae growing in Florida. Two years ago, some Florida waterways and beaches were afflicted by what many described as a green, slimy, rancid- smelling algae. Well…it’s back. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reports the blue-green algae also known as cyanobacteria, typically develops in nutrient-rich lakes that contain high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen. High temperatures, warm water and abundant sunlight create ideal conditions for the toxic blooms to thrive.

Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie estuary are filled with the toxic algae as it continues to spread to Cape Coral and Ft. Myers. “Just cleaning up the water will not help, points out Buck with GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent boat insurance agency. Both red tide and the blue-green algae are exacerbated by fertilizers and other pollution fed by runoff from the surrounding land.

Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency this week for seven counties around the lake to give state environmental and tourism agencies more resources to respond to problems caused by the algae. The order also authorizes flushing water south of the lake instead of down the rivers that run to the coasts.

“Every driver in Florida is familiar with the intense heat that greats you as you open the car door on a hot day,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent car insurance agency. Not only is a hot car terribly uncomfortable, but cooling your car down quickly can keep you from looking like a hot mess before you arrive at your destination.

Engineers at Consumer Reports found the best method for cooling off a hot car as soon as possible. The following are their instructions for how to do it.

“These tips will help you get the most from your air conditioning system while burning less fuel,” says Buck, with GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent car insurance agency.

Don’t Pre- Cool

Don’t run the air conditioning in your car until you are ready to drive. The A/C works better when you are driving. Once you are on your way, open the windows and crank the fan to full blast. When cold air starts coming through the vents, close the front windows but keep the rear windows cracked open for another 10 – 20 seconds. This gets cold air to the back of the car and creates an easy path for the hot air to escape the cabin.

Go Low

Adjust the temperature and fan. Setting the temperature to the coldest temperature and adjusting the fans speed keep the air from drying out, making the A/C more efficient saving you some fuel.

Don’t Recirculate

If passengers are in the backseat, turn off recirculation mode. This takes air from the front of the car and pulls it back through the front system keeping the people upfront cool, but leaves the air in the back stale and hot.

Turn Off Start/Stop

Newer cars have an auto start-stop system, turn it off. This feature saves fuel, but it can also keep the air conditioning compressor from running when it shuts the engine off. In very hot weather, you will notice the lack of cool air quickly especially if you are stuck at a lengthy stoplight or in stop and go traffic.

Check the Air Filter

Check your cabin’s air filter to make sure it is clean. A dirty filter prevents air flow.

Automatic Climate Control

If you have automatic climate control in your car, lowering the temperature doesn’t make the car cool off faster. Most systems will do all the temperature and fan adjustments automatically, so you can just set it and forget it.

On July 4th people across the country express their American patriotism by celebrating Independence Day. A quick history refresher- On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, declaring the 13 colonies liberated from England.

“Independence Day is a festive day to reflect on the privilege of freedom and democracy we enjoy in this country,” said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance agency.

Below is some information you might find useful in commemorating this Independence Day.

FIREWORKS- What is legal and what’s not?

The 4th of July is all about fireworks.

In Florida, nothing airborne or exploding is legal including shells and mortars, tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and even firecrackers. Although, you can legally purchase fireworks if you sign a waiver. The waiver states that you will be using the fireworks to scare away birds from agricultural products or fish hatcheries, according to Florida Today. Lying on the form is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Illegally using fireworks is also a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. However, sparklers, snakes and party poppers are legal. Keep in mind, there is still a risk of injury using sparklers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports 8 deaths were caused by fireworks in 2017 along with 12,900 emergency-room related injuries. Sparklers were the number one cause of injuries.

Along with a high traffic volume, drinking and driving adds to dangerous road conditions. Alcohol also exacerbates dehydration, intensifying the effects of alcohol and causing drowsiness. Distraction from fireworks, is likewise a source of car accidents.

GreatFlorida Insurance is available 24/7 to help with your insurance needs. We offer quality and affordable homowners insurance coverage to Floridians across the state. Call us at 1-888-478-7801 or check us out online at www.greatflorida.com.

The American Automobile Association (AAA), reports current gas prices are the highest they have been in four years. Almost 60 cents higher than this time last year.

“Gas prices typically rise just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend,” observes Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

However, relief at the pump is coming. Crude oil prices are dropping and some oil producing nations such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, are expected to increase oil production. Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA said gas prices should be lowering, although the prices, “will not happen overnight,” as retailers usually do not react quickly to these market factors and are not ready to discount fuel they paid a premium to get.

Gas prices are the highest in South Florida, at $2.99-$2.94 per gallon in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. While Jacksonville and Punta Gorda are enjoying the lowest prices at $2.86 per gallon.

“Lower gas prices are arriving in time for what is expected to be a busy summer travel season, says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent auto insurance agency. Airlines for America, an industry trade organization expects summer air travel to rise 3.7 percent, reaching an all-time high.

If you plan to travel this summer, check out the following travel hacks to help save your sanity.

When packing your bag, place shoes in a shower cap.

Throw the hotel bar soap or a dryer sheet in your dirty laundry bag so it doesn’t stink up your bag for the remainder of the trip.

Store power cords in an old sunglass case.

If you forget your cell phone charger, ask the front desk if you can borrow one during your stay.

If you forget the wall plug-in, check the back of the hotel TV, there is usually a USB port.

Heading to a theme park or the beach? Place your phone in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet.

To protect a wine bottle in your bag, wrap it with a pool floatie.

Scan your passport, ID and itinerary and email it to yourself so you have a digital copy if it is stolen or lost.

However, concerning experts, are the recent heavy rains throughout the state, that may lead to additional sinkholes. Such as the ones in The Villages or the more than a dozen that opened in an Ocala neighborhood earlier this month.

Speaking to a local news agency, Dr. Anthony Randazzo, professor at the University of Florida calls the stretch of land between Tallahassee and I-4 through Central Florida, “sinkhole alley.”

Dr. Randazzo says last year’s Hurricane Irma is responsible for over 400 sinkholes. Recent heavy rainfall is exacerbating the problem.

Sinkholes occur in Florida so often because the peninsula is made up of porous rocks such as limestone or sandstone, which can dissolve over time as they interact with acid naturally occurring in rainwater, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

So, what happens if a sinkhole develops near or on your property? Florida law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for catastrophic ground cover collapse.

Florida homes do not require inspection for the possibility of sinkholes. Also, most builders do not have them inspected, because of the additional expense. It is impossible to predict when and where the exact location of a sinkhole might develop.

Only a licensed, professional geologist with training in identifying sinkholes, might be able to determine the possibility of sinkhole activity. It is important to keep in mind, not all potential sinkhole activity can be identified.

As a protection to buyers, home sellers are required to disclose when a sinkhole claim was made on a piece of property and the amount that was paid to repair the damages.

You can call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 850-245-2118, with a sinkhole question.